KAPIT: The landowners of Nanga Antawau whose lands are affected by the proposed Baleh Dam project have turned down the compensation rate offered by the Land and Survey Department here.
This was revealed by the chairman of Nanga Antawau Kapit Welfare Club (PKNAK) Jeffrey Kumbong, after a meeting with the affected landowners yesterday.
A letter from the department was received on Sept 26 requesting the landowners to meet Land officers on Sept 28 to sign Form F, on whether they would agree or not agree on the rate of compensation.
“Based on their feedbacks, they have all rejected the offer of RM10,000 per hectare. The amount was far below the rate we requested earlier in our memorandum to the government and Sarawak Electricity Berhad (SEB). We requested for RM70,000 per hectare based on the current market value,” explained Jeffery at the press conference yesterday morning.
Together with Jeffery were the club’s publicity officer Meringai Jangga and treasurer Nyawai Anjang.
“We sacrificed our land (included those for burial ground, planting, hunting, fishing) to give way to the proposed 1300 MW Baleh Dam, knowing very well our land will forever be gone.
“Yes, we supported development but please listen to our voice. We want a win-win situation. We don’t want piecemeal compensation. They have to consider our future livelihood, children’s education and social-economic wellbeing,” Jeffery pointed out.
“At the moment the community and landowners from Nanga Antawau, Baleh affected by the Baleh Dam Electric Project (Baleh HEP) will not entertain any offer to compensate our land.
“We want an all-inclusive form of compensation, not confined to land only. We have submitted a memorandum outlining our request for compensation but sadly has been left unanswered by the government and other stakeholders of Baleh HEP.” he added.
“In our Memorandum, we asked for a reasonable land compensation rate, the recognition of Native Customary Rights over land, general compensation for communal loss of livelihood, hardship compensation caused by the project, resettlement to an upgraded community settlement, creation of a native communal reserve, establishment of an education trust fund exclusive for locals and employment opportunity in Baleh HEP,” explained Jeffrey.
When asked on PKNAK’s role in representing the community and landowners interest, he said, “Until today I still wonder why SEB refused to recognise PKNAK as the body representing the community and landowners from Nanga Antawau. Are we not legitimately registered with Registrar of Societies (ROS) and duly mandated by them to represent their interest and welfare?”
On the action taken by landowners stopping SEB contractors working at the ‘Explosive Magazine Site’, Jeffery replied: “Would you have done the same if someone enter your land without your consent? Landowners are merely exercising their constitutional rights to protect and preserve their property.”
Jeffrey explained: “The SEB contractors before starting work should have approached and negotiated with affected landowners. Instead of doing this, they entered the site discreetly and causing irreparable damage to the land.
“Before this several police reports were lodged by the affected landowners but the relevant authorities and SEB took no action to resolve the matter”.
He strongly advised SEB and the contractors not to ignore the landowners and should first initiate dialogue with them prior to entering their land to avoid confrontation or conflict.
Nanga Antawau is located roughly about 80km upriver from here and some 6km downriver from the proposed Baleh Dam site. The settlement consists of four longhouses namely Rumah Laso, RumahNabau, RumahLangga and RumahTajai, comprising a total of 131 households.
It was established by the Brooke Regime in the 19th century and is also the last Iban settlement along Baleh River. Beyond Nanga Antawau is Long Singgutan Orang Ulu, which is about a day journey by longboat.
